I was out messing with the old cab off the '54 tonight, and I noticed something different. I never saw it before, and have never noticed it on another cab. I am curious, and would like for anyone that can to get some pics on here, as to how many others have the same thing. For '53, the firewall is simple, and as seen in most pictures. The '54 model year saw the introduction of the Y-block in the trucks smaller than F-700, and a change in the firewall was added to accomodate. On the passenger side, just outside of the engine recess area, and down low, there is another little recess in the sheetmetal. I can only assume that this was added due to the exhaust manifold.

1953 cab firewall:





1954 cab firewall:

 

I know it's not significant, but for a purist, seeking a concours correct vehicle, it can make or break a sale. It is also, at least for me, interesting to know as many little details about a vehicle as I possible can.

 

At least in the '48-52 trucks there seems to be no firm rule for anything. Some '48s came with a certain type of sheet metal stamping while other didn't. Some '50s came with brace here or there while some didn't. I really don't think there's a person out there that has a definitive answer on what is actually correct for any of these trucks. Let's face it, these trucks where just tools. They were quickly produced to get them out the assembly plant door so Ford could make and sale more. The production quality is fairly poor and they weren't meant to last more than 10 years. Assembly practices and parts varied from plant to plant and day to day.

I'm sure if you could ask a person who worked on the line back then what he thought of a bunch of guys 60+ years later are tearing these old trucks apart and applying top of the line primers and paints to these trucks he would think we're a bunch of nuts to spend so much time and money on something that took a day to build and sold for less than $2000.

As for concourse judging, I'd bet there isn't a person out there that can honestly tell you if the extra recess is correct for one year or the other. You said yourself you had never noticed the recess before, I doubt very few other have either. I doubt it would make or break a deal. If it did there's another buyer who wouldn't know or wouldn't care. These truck have been around so long it's next to impossible, unless it's been sitting in a museum since new, to guarantee every single part is original or correct.

 

Everybody thinks '51s and '52s are the same too, but they aren't. The '51 still had the 226, but in '52 with the intro of the 215 they added captive nuts for mounting the accelarator linkage. Also, while not as absolute I bet, the Magic Air heater tubes were positioned differently one year to the other. Stu

 

You're probably right Bob, I thought it was interesting that there is indeed a difference between 53, and 54/5 truck cabs. Subtle differences may not be a huge deal, but they're neat to know. I do not know much about the pre-53 trucks, but that's a cool thing to discover too, Stu. In all honestly, a person in the know could these little differences as fuel to widdle down a seller...

 

I don't know about the throttle linkage nuts, but i can tell you the knock outs on the firewall for the magic air heater tubes are different for 51 and 52.

 

"The production quality is fairly poor and they weren't meant to last more than 10 years."(quote)

Actually, to see a vehicle prduced 10 years ago around today is a real oddity. Got to give our old trucks due respect, lasting 60 plus years. I really don't think we are going to see much of the crap being produced today still around in 60 years. (even if we live that long) lol.

 

I personally would not have patience for some one who would nit pick over such a minor item, especially when it comes to a truck. If I truly thought the vehicle was the very best quality build and some one started picking it apart I'd tell the guy to take a hike and wait for the next guy who would appreciate the quality of the overall vehicle. Unless the vehicle is a high end vehicle like a Pierce Arrow or Rolls Royce where every nut and bolt is scrutinized and every model in the world is officially cataloged I wouldn't worry about such a slight variance.

 

I found an original Ford warranty in the owner's manual of one of my parts trucks. The warranty was good for 90 days. There's a local new car dealer offering a life time warranty. I realize the life time warranty probably has three pages of small print that probably limits mileage, who can drive the car and the requirement of meticulous maintenance documentation to qualify but now the shortest warranty on a new car is 5-7 years. Even with these longer warranties I doubt any one will be able to qualify after a few years and after the car are completely out of warranty I doubt anyone would justify the great sums of money for the most minor repairs to keep them running. Who's going to pay $1200 to have the timing belt replaced a ten year old car that might be worth $1500?

The simplicity of our old trucks is what has really kept our old trucks on the road all of these years. Anyone with a minor level of mechanical ability and a decent set of hand tools can do just about any repair to them. You don't need a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering to make the engines pop. I still think the quality of our trucks were poor but they were made of heavier materials and could last longer. All of the paper thin metal used in today's cars is probably was equal to what was used in one of our trucks' fenders.

 

Hi wmjoe1953 and everyone else. Sorry I haven't been around for awhile, been busy working on my 54 M-350 among other things, but this one got me thinking. As I have a 53 cab, my 54 M-350, a 55 cab and a couple 56's I had to go and look. These are all Canadian cabs, and there is some differences.
Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you on this one but had trouble getting pics onto photo bucket. Will do another post with pics as I sometimes goof and lose everything.

 

This 53 cab is a roll over and some parts have been cut out of it but the subject area is there. Note the recess is not there and there are four holes for heater tubes.

 

Oops, almost forgot this 53 pic from outside.

 

My 54 M-350. Note - the recess (pocket) is there and there are still four holes for heater tubes. I also find it interesting that these holes don't have knockout plugs. Actually there are five holes but I think only four are for heater tubes.

Inside pics.





Outside pic.

 

This cab is off a 55 F-600. The recess pocket is there but there are only two holes for heater tubes. Sorry I couldn't get outside pics.

 

This cab is off a 56 F-600. Again the recess pocket is there and only two heater tube holes. I also looked at my 56 coe but couldn't tell as I had to alter this area to make room for the turbo on the 5.9 Cummins.
I could only get outside pics